Universal conduit body assembly

ABSTRACT

In an aspect, a universal conduit body assembly comprises a universal conduit body having a first port attached thereto. The first port is sized and shaped to connect the conduit body with one or more conduits or plugs. A cavity is at least partially defined by the conduit body, and the cavity comprises at least two open sides and sufficient space for containment of one or more spliced wires within the conduit body. Two or more removable panels each sized and shaped to cover a portion of the universal conduit body and selectively attach to each of the at least two open sides of the cavity are provided. At least one of the two or more panels includes a second port sized and shaped to connect the panel with the one or more conduits or plugs.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/084,970 to Baldwin, et al., entitled“Universal Conduit Body,” which was filed on Jul. 30, 2009, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Aspects of the present document relate generally to conduit bodies andmore specifically to conduit bodies having adapters capable ofconnecting multiple conduits.

2. Background Art

Conduit bodies are commonly used to connect two or more conduitstogether. Conduit bodies are useful in that, among other things, theymay form a convenient place where wires from different conduits may bespliced together.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this document relate to conduit bodies.

In one aspect, a universal conduit body assembly comprises a universalconduit body having a first port attached thereto. The first port issized and shaped to connect the conduit body with one or more conduitsor plugs. A cavity is at least partially defined by the conduit body,and the cavity comprises at least two open sides and sufficient spacefor containment of one or more spliced wires within the conduit body.Also included are two or more removable panels each sized and shaped tocover a portion of the universal conduit body and selectively attach toeach of the at least two open sides of the cavity, at least one of thetwo or more panels comprising a second port sized and shaped to connectthe panel with the one or more conduits or plugs.

Particular implementations may include one or more of the following. Atleast one of the two or more panels may be selectively attached to theuniversal conduit body via one or more hinge members. At least one ofthe two or more panels may be biased to the closed position. At leastone of the two or more panels may be selectively attached to theuniversal conduit body via one or more panel connectors. The second portmay be fixedly attached at least one of the two or more panels. Thesecond port may be selectively attached at least one of the two or morepanels. A second port gasket may be interposed between the second portand at least one of the two or more panels. A panel gasket may beinterposed between at least one of the two or more panels and theconduit body. The second port may comprise a setter screw. A first portgasket may be interposed between a first port and the universal conduitbody.

In another aspect, a universal conduit body assembly comprises auniversal conduit body having a first port fixedly attached thereto. Thefirst port is sized and shaped to connect the conduit body with one ormore conduits or plugs. A cavity is at least partially defined by theconduit body, and the cavity comprises at least two open sides andsufficient space for containment of one or more spliced wires. Two ormore panels are each sized and shaped to at least partially mate withthe universal conduit body and selectively attach to each of the atleast two open sides of the cavity so as to form at least a partial sealbetween the panel and the conduit body. At least one of the two or morepanels comprises a second port fixedly attached thereto, and the secondport is sized and shaped to connect the panel with one or more conduitsor plugs. Also, the at least two panels are moveable between an openposition and a closed position with respect to the universal conduitbody. The at least two panels allow substantial access to the at leastpartially defined cavity when one or more of the at least two panels arein the open position.

Particular implementations may include one or more of the following. Atleast one of the two or more panels may be selectively attached to theconduit body via one or more hinge members. At least one of the two ormore panels may be biased to the closed position. At least one of thetwo or more panels may be selectively attached to the conduit body viaone or more panel connectors. A panel gasket may be interposed betweenat least one of the two or more panels and the conduit body. One of thefirst port and the second port may be covered by one or more plugs whennot in use.

In still another aspect, a method of connecting two or more conduitscomprises connecting a first conduit to a first port of a universalconduit body and connecting a second conduit to a second port of atleast one of the two or more panels. The method further includessplicing together one or more wires from the first conduit with one ormore wires of the second conduit inside a cavity defined by theuniversal conduit body such that the one or more spliced wires arecontained within the cavity. The method yet further includes selectivelyattaching two or more panels to at least two open sides of the cavity soas to form at least a partial seal between the two or more panels andthe conduit body.

Particular implementations may include one or more of the following.Connecting a second conduit to a second port of at least one of the twoor more panels may comprise connecting each of two or more secondconduits to a second port of at least two of the two or more panels.Selectively attaching the two or more panels to at least two open sidesof the cavity may comprise attaching at least one of the two or morepanels to the conduit body via one or more hinge members. Selectivelyattaching the two or more panels to at least two open sides of thecavity may comprise attaching at least one of the two or more panels tothe conduit body via one or more panel connectors.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the DESCRIPTIONand DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A universal conduit body assembly will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denotelike elements, and:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially assembled perspective view of the deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially assembled alternative perspective view ofthe device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a partially assembled perspective view of the deviceshown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a coupled perspective view of a second particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a third particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended operation of a universal conduit bodyassembly and/or assembly procedures for a universal conduit bodyassembly will become apparent from this disclosure. Accordingly, forexample, although particular universal conduit bodies, first ports,conduits, plugs, cavities, open sides, panels, second ports, partialseals, hinge members, panel connectors, first port gaskets, second portgaskets, panel gaskets, setter screws, and other components aredisclosed, such universal conduit bodies, first ports, conduits, plugs,cavities, open sides, panels, second ports, partial seals, hingemembers, panel connectors, first port gaskets, second port gaskets,panel gaskets, setter screws, and implementing components, may compriseany shape, size, style, type, model, version, measurement,concentration, material, quantity, and/or the like as is known in theart for such universal conduit body assemblies, consistent with theintended operation of a universal conduit body assembly.

There are a variety of universal conduit body assembly implementationsdisclosed herein. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate various aspects of a firstparticular implementation of a universal conduit body assembly, with theassociated description explaining this, and other, particularimplementations. Universal conduit body adapter assembly 2 (and otherparticular implementations of universal conduit body assembliesdescribed herein) is used to connect two or more conduits together. Byway of non-limiting example, some types of conduits that may beconnected together using a universal conduit body assembly 2 mayinclude: Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC); Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit (RNC);Galvanized Rigid Conduit (GRC); Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)(sometimes also called Thin-Wall); Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT);Flexible Metallic Conduit (FMC); Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit(LFMC); Flexible Metallic Tubing (FMT); Liquidtight Flexible NonmetallicConduit (LNFC) (also sometimes abbreviated as FNMC); Aluminum Conduit;Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC); PVC Conduit; Other Metal Conduits;Underground Conduit; Raceway (Wire Molding); and other types of conduitsknown in the art. Conduits are typically offered in a variety ofstandard sizes, including, by way of non-limiting example, ½″, ¾″, and1″.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the first particular implementation of universalconduit body assembly 2 comprises a universal conduit body 4. Auniversal conduit body 4 comprises at least one first port, such asfirst port 6 a and/or first port 6 b, that may be either selectively orfixedly attached to the universal conduit body 4. The first ports 6 aand 6 b are sized and shaped to connect the universal conduit body 4with one or more conduits (not shown), and may be provided in a varietyof sizes to accept and/or connect with standard conduit sizes such as,by way of non-limiting example, ½″, ¾″, and 1″. Once connected, one ormore conduits may be held in place with respect to first port 6 a and/orthe first port 6 b via a setter screw 28. Alternatively, the first port6 a and/or the first port 6 b may comprise a threaded portion to assistin the connection between the first port 6 a and/or the first port 6 band a conduit. Significantly, when one or more first ports 6 are not inuse, a plug 7 may be inserted into an unused first port 6 to at leastpartially seal the first port from debris and the like.

The universal conduit body 4 at least partially defines a cavity 8. Thecavity 8 includes sufficient space to contain one or more sets ofspliced wires (not shown) for the intended use of the conduit body withelectrical wiring. Specifically, the cavity 8 is sized and shaped toaccommodate one or more wires from one or more first conduits attachedto one or more first ports 6, as well as one or more wires from one ormore second conduits attached to one or more second ports (describedfurther below). The cavity 8 may also be configured to allow for theeasy splicing of wires therein and/or to make hand and/or tool movementamong and/or around the wires and the splicing of them inside the cavity8, or coupling two sets of wires outside the conduit body and insertingthe spliced wires into the cavity8, easier due to a sufficient amount ofspace within cavity 8. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readilybe able to determine the appropriate amount of space needed for aparticular application from the disclosure provided herein. Theuniversal conduit body 4 may also take on large sizes such as to allowthe universal conduit body 4 to contain other components alternatively,or in addition to spliced wires, such as fuses, switches, and/or othercomponents.

While the universal conduit body 4 is shown as substantiallyrectangular, the universal conduit body 4 may comprise any shape. Forinstance, the universal conduit body 4 may comprise a substantiallycuboidal shape with unequal sides or a partially cuboidal and partiallycylindrical shape, such as cuboidal along the length and cylindricalnear the top and bottom. Although not specifically shown in the figures,the universal conduit body 4 could comprise any other shape such ascubic, entirely cylindrical, semispherical, or any other regular orirregular shape. In addition, the universal conduit body 4 may compriseany size, so long as the at least partially defined cavity 8 providessufficient space to allow for the containment of one or more splicedwires (and/or other electrical components). As noted above, theuniversal conduit body 4 may also be configured to allow for the easysplicing of wires.

In any event, the universal conduit body 4 is configured such that theat least two open sides 10 of the cavity 8 are substantially accessiblevia a panel that may be selectively attached and removed to theuniversal conduit body 4. While all of the particular implementations ofuniversal conduit body 4 disclosed herein have four sides that allowsubstantial access to the at least partially defined cavity 8 viaselectively attachable panels, the universal conduit body 4 may compriseany other number of sides and/or areas that allow substantial access tothe at least partially defined cavity 8 via selectively attachablepanels. For instance the universal conduit body 4 may comprise one, two,three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or more sides.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, the cavity 8 includes at least two opensides 10. The at least two open sides 10 of the cavity 8 are eachcovered by a corresponding panel, so that at least two panels areprovided with respect to the universal conduit body assembly 2. Whilevarious types of panels are possible, with respect to any of theparticular embodiments of panels described herein, a panel is sized andshaped to at least partially mate with the universal conduit body 4. Asdescribed further below, “mating” a panel with a universal conduit body4 may involve using one or more panel connectors 22 or one or more hingemembers. In an event, two or more panels are selectively attachable (thepanels may be attached and/or removed as desired) to the at least twoopen sides 10 of the cavity 8 so as to form at least a partial seal 20between each panel and its corresponding open side 10. The partial seal20 may be formed through the cooperation of a rear surface of a panel(such as rear surface 16 a or 16 b) with the universal conduit body 4.

Significantly, at least one of the at least two open sides 10 areenclosed with a panel 12 b (which, as described below, comprises asecond port 18), while the remaining one or more open sides 10 of thecavity 8 may be enclosed by either a panel 12 b, a panel 12 a, or anyother panel disclosed herein or consistent with these disclosures. Apanel 12 b is selectively attached to at least one open side 10 of thecavity 8 via one or more panel connectors 22 and/or hinge elements (notshown). A panel connector 22 may comprise any screw, bolt, fastener,clip or the like and may selectively mate with one or more panelconnector anchors 21. In any event, the panel 12 b comprises a frontsurface 14 b, a rear surface 16 b, and a second port 18. While thesecond port 18 of panel 12 b is shown offset towards one end of thepanel, it will be understood that a second port 18 may be locatedanywhere along a panel (such as, by way of non-limiting example, in themiddle of panel, as on panel 12 c in FIG. 5). The second port 18 may befixedly attached to a panel (e.g. integrally formed, in some particularimplementations) or, alternatively, the second port 18 may beselectively attached to a panel (e.g. panel 12 a, 12 b, or 12 c). Inthose particular implementations where second port 18 is selectivelyattached to a panel, a second port gasket (not shown) may be included toprovide weather and/or debris resistance between the second port 18 andthe panel 12 b.

In any event, the second port 18 is sized and shaped to connect theuniversal conduit body 4 with one or more conduits (not shown), and maybe provided in a variety of standard port sizes to accept and/or matewith standard conduit sizes such as, by way of non-limiting example, ½″,¾″, and 1″ conduits. Once connected, one or more conduits may be held inplace with respect to one or more second ports 18 via a setter screw 28.Alternatively, the one or more second ports 18 may comprise a threadedportion to assist in the connection between one or more second ports 18and a conduit. When one or more second ports 18 are not in use, a plug 7may be inserted into the unused second port 18 to at least partiallyseal the second port 18 from debris and the like. Notwithstanding, inthose particular implementations where the second port 18 is selectivelyattachable to the panel 12 b, the second port 18 may simply be omittedfrom a panel on which a second port 18 is not desired).

While a panel 12 b is shown attached to at least one of the at least twoopen sides 10 of the cavity 8 in the first particular implementation ofuniversal conduit body assembly 2, the remaining one or more open sides10 of the cavity 8 may be enclosed by either a panel 12 b, a panel 12 a,or any other panel disclosed herein or consistent with thesedisclosures. In contrast to a panel 12 b, a panel 12 a does not includea second port 18, but rather comprises a front surface 14 a, and a rearsurface 16 a.

With respect to any of the panels described herein, including panel 12 aand panel 12 b, a panel is selectively attached to each of the at leasttwo open sides 10 of the cavity 8 via one or more panel connectors 22and/or hinge elements (not shown). All of the panels disclosed hereinare likewise positionable between an open position and a closedposition. When a panel is in an open position with respect to theuniversal conduit body 4 (such as panel 12 a in FIG. 3), the panelallows substantial access to the cavity 8. Substantial access includesaccess that may be required to splice one or more wires and/or access tomake hand and/or tool movements. By contrast, when a panel is in aclosed position with respect to the universal conduit body 4, at least apartial seal 20 is formed between the panel and the universal conduitbody 4. It will be understood that the particular positionabilitybetween open and closed positions for one or more panels may depend uponthe nature of the panel connector 22 or hinge member (not shown) beingused.

Where one or more panels comprise one or more panel connectors 22,moving a panel to an open position may comprise first loosening and/orremoving one or more panel connectors (with respect to the universalconduit body 4 and/or one or more panel connector anchors 21), and thenmoving the panel to the open position (which may comprise pivoting orremoving a portion, or all, of the panel from the universal conduitbody). Accordingly, moving a panel having one or more panel connectors22 to a closed position may comprise first aligning the panel so that arear surface of the panel (e.g. rear surface 16 a or 16 b) is adjacentto the universal conduit body 4. One more panel connectors 22 maythereafter be secured in order to form at least a partial seal 20between the panel and the universal conduit body 4.

In addition to the foregoing, where one or more panels comprise one ormore hinge elements (not shown), a portion of the hinge member may beattached on or near an edge of a panel, while another portion of thehinge member may be attached to the universal conduit body 4.Accordingly, moving a panel having a hinge member to an open positionmay comprise simply lifting the panel away from the universal conduitbody 4. Likewise, moving a panel having a hinge member to a closedposition (with respect to the universal conduit body 4) may comprisesimply lowering the panel toward from the universal conduit body 4.Significantly, in some particular implementations of panel having ahinge member, the hinge member may include an element to bias the panelto a closed position with respect to the universal conduit body 4.

With respect to any of the particular implementations of universalconduit body assemblies disclosed herein, it will be understood that oneor more panels may be moved (swapped) among the at least two open sides10 of the universal conduit body 4 to allow for different universalconduit body assembly configurations, according to the needs of aparticular application. For instance, a comparison of FIG. 2 to FIG. 3illustrates that the attached panel 12 a (FIG. 2) has been replaced witha panel 12 b (FIG. 3). Similarly, a comparison of FIG. 3 to FIG. 4illustrates that a panel 12 b is attached to a different open side 10 ineach of the figures. Therefore, it will be understood that by moving oneor more panels (such as one or more panels 12 b or 12 c) from one openside 10 to another open side 10, different configurations of universalconduit body assemblies may be achieved. Accordingly, depending upon theneeds of a particular job, a user may connect two or more conduits in avariety of different layouts and/or configurations with respect to auniversal conduit body 4, simply by arranging and/or re-arranging one ormore panels on one or more open sides 10. Similarly, one or more panels(such as panel 12 b or 12 c) may be arranged and/or re-arranged withrespect to a universal conduit body 4 in order to conform with (and beable to mate with) one or more conduits in an existing configuration.

In addition to the foregoing, a panel gasket 24 may be included in anyparticular implementation of universal conduit body assembly disclosedherein, the panel gasket 24 being interposed between one or more of thetwo or more panels and the universal conduit body 4 in order resistweather-elements and/or debris.

Turning now to FIG. 5, this figure illustrates a second particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly 30, showing thatdifferent configurations of universal conduit body assemblies may beachieved depending upon the needs of a particular job. For example, thesecond particular implementation of a universal conduit body assembly 30differs from the first particular implementation of a universal conduitbody assembly 2 principally by the inclusion of panel a 12 c. Like panel12 b, panel 12 c comprises a second port 18. Nevertheless, a comparisonof FIG. 5 to FIG. 2 illustrates that the second port 18 of panel 12 c islocated substantially in the center of panel 12 c, whereas the secondport 18 of panel 12 b is substantially offset to one end of the panel.Therefore, a user may select an appropriate panel depending upon theparticular location and configuration of an existing conduit, or inaccordance with a planned conduit layout. For instance, if a conduitruns (or is planned to be run) to a particular open side 10 to a middleof a panel, then a user may select a panel 12 c to install on thatparticular open side 10, since panel 12 c comprises a second port 18substantially in the middle of the panel. Nevertheless, if a conduitruns (or is planned to be run) to a particular open side 10 to an end ofa panel, then a user may select a panel 12 b to install on thatparticular open side 10, since panel since 12 b comprises a second port18 substantially at the end of the panel. Of course, additional secondport 18 locations and/or configurations may be provided in order toaccommodate one or more existing or planned conduit layouts.Notwithstanding the foregoing differences, the second particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly 30 operatessimilarly to the first particular implementation of a universal conduitbody assembly 2.

Turning now to FIG. 6, this figure illustrates a third particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly 32. As shown in thefigure, a universal conduit body assembly 32 may be provided so as tocouple two conduits (not shown) in a substantially straight line. Forinstance, with a first conduit coupled with first port 6 a and with asecond conduit coupled with first port 6 b, it will be understood thatthe first conduit and the second conduit will be attached in a parallel,end to end configuration (the ends of the conduit mated with theuniversal conduit body 4 do not touch one another). Therefore, acomparison of the various particular implementations of universalconduit body assemblies herein shows that many different configurationsof a universal conduit body assembly are possible, and such assembliesmay be arranged and/or re-arranged (at least via the arrangement and/orrearrangement of one or more panels and/or first ports), as needed ordesired.

A non-exemplary method of connecting two or more conduits is nowdescribed. The method comprises connecting a first conduit to a firstport (either first port 6 a or 6 b, or another first port). The methodfurther comprises connecting a second conduit, different from the first,to a second port 18 of at least one of two or more panels (such as panel12 a, 12 b, and/or 12 c). The method still further comprises splicingtogether one or more wires from the first conduit with one or more wiresof the second conduit inside the cavity 8 defined by the universalconduit body 4 such that the one or more spliced wires are containedwithin the cavity 8. The method yet further comprises selectivelyattaching two or more panels (such as panel 12 a, 12 b, and/or 12 c) toat least two open sides 10 of the cavity 8 so as to form at least apartial seal 20 between the two or more panels and the universal conduitbody 4.

The non-exemplary method of connecting two or more conduits describedabove may further comprise connecting each of two or more secondconduits to a second port of at least two of the two or more panels. Forinstance, at least two of the two or more panels may each comprise asecond port 18, and two or more second conduits may each be attached toits own corresponding second port 18 on its respective panel. The methodmay further include attaching at least one of the two or more panels tothe conduit body via one or more hinge members. The method may furtherinclude attaching at least one of the two or more panels to theuniversal conduit body 4 via one or more panel connectors 22.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theconcepts of connecting conduits together, as disclosed herein, is notlimited to the specific implementations shown herein. For example, it isspecifically contemplated that the components included in a particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly may be formed of anyof many different types of materials or combinations that can readily beformed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intendedoperation of a universal conduit body assembly. For example, it isspecifically contemplated that the components included in a particularimplementation of a universal conduit body assembly may be formed of anyof many different types of materials or combinations that can readily beformed into shaped objects and that are consistent with the intendedoperation of a universal conduit body assembly. For example, thecomponents may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/orother like materials; polymers and/or other like materials; plastics,and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials;metals and/or other like materials; alloys and/or other like materials;and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Furthermore, the universal conduit body assemblies, universal conduitbodies, first ports, conduits, plugs, cavities, open sides, panels,second ports, partial seals, hinge members, panel connectors, first portgaskets, second port gaskets, panel gaskets, setter screws, and othercomponents are disclosed, such universal conduit bodies, first ports,conduits, plugs, cavities, open sides, panels, second ports, partialseals, hinge members, panel connectors, first port gaskets, second portgaskets, panel gaskets, setter screws, and any other components forminga particular implementation of a the universal conduit body assembly maybe manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all ofthe components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joinedwith one another. Manufacture of these components separately orsimultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming,injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting,forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding,stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting,punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components aremanufactured separately, they may then be coupled or removably coupledwith one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, afastener, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example,depending on, among other considerations, the particular material(s)forming the components.

It will be understood that particular implementations of universalconduit body assemblies are not limited to the specific componentsdisclosed herein, as virtually any components consistent with theintended operation of a method and/or system implementation for auniversal conduit body assembly may be utilized. Accordingly, forexample, although particular universal conduit bodies, first ports,conduits, plugs, cavities, open sides, panels, second ports, partialseals, hinge members, panel connectors, first port gaskets, second portgaskets, panel gaskets, setter screws, and other components aredisclosed, such universal conduit bodies, first ports, conduits, plugs,cavities, open sides, panels, second ports, partial seals, hingemembers, panel connectors, first port gaskets, second port gaskets,panel gaskets, setter screws, and other components may be disclosed,such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type, model,version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material, weight,quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of amethod and/or system implementation for a universal conduit bodyassembly may be used.

In places where the description above refers to particularimplementations of a universal conduit body assembly, it should bereadily apparent that a number of modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof and that these implementations may beapplied to other universal conduit body assemblies. The accompanyingclaims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the disclosure set forth in this document. Thepresently disclosed implementations are, therefore, to be considered inall respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of thedisclosure being indicated by the appended claims rather than theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning of andrange of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A universal conduit body assembly comprising: a universal conduitbody comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, atleast four sides between the first end and the second end, and a firstport coupled to the first end, the first port sized and shaped toconnect the conduit body with one or more conduits or plugs, wherein atleast two of the four sides comprise open sides, the open sidescomprising an opening that extends substantially from the first end tothe second end; a cavity at least partially defined by the conduit body,the cavity comprising sufficient space for containment of one or morespliced wires within the conduit body; and two or more removable panelseach sized and shaped to cover a portion of the universal conduit bodyand selectively couple to each of the at least two open sides of thecavity, at least one of the two or more panels comprising a second portsized and shaped to connect the panel with the one or more conduits orplugs, wherein the two or more removable panels are interchangeablebetween the at least two open sides.
 2. The device of claim 1, whereinat least one of the two or more panels is selectively coupled to theuniversal conduit body via one or more hinge members.
 3. The device ofclaim 2, wherein at least one of the two or more panels is biased to theclosed position.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of thetwo or more panels is selectively coupled to the universal conduit bodyvia one or more panel connectors.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thesecond port is fixedly coupled at least one of the two or more panels.6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second port is selectively coupledto at least one of the two or more panels.
 7. The device of claim 6,further comprising a second port gasket interposed between the secondport and at least one of the two or more panels.
 8. The device of claim1, further comprising a panel gasket interposed between at least one ofthe two or more panels and the conduit body.
 9. The device of claim 1,wherein the second port comprises a setter screw.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a first port gasket interposed between afirst port and the universal conduit body.
 11. A universal conduit bodyassembly comprising: a universal conduit body comprising a first portfixedly coupled to a first end and a second side opposite the first end,the first port sized and shaped to connect the conduit body with one ormore conduits or plugs; a cavity at least partially defined by theconduit body, the cavity comprising at least two open sides andsufficient space for containment of one or more spliced wires, the atleast two open sides each comprising an opening that extendssubstantially from the first end to the second end; two or moreinterchangeable panels each sized and shaped to at least partially matewith the universal conduit body and selectively couple to each of the atleast two open sides of the cavity so as to form at least a partial sealbetween the panel and the conduit body, at least one of the two or morepanels comprising a second port fixedly coupled thereto, the second portsized and shaped to couple the panel with one or more conduits or plugs;and wherein the at least two panels are moveable between an openposition and a closed position with respect to the universal conduitbody, the at least two panels allowing substantial access to the atleast partially defined cavity when one or more of the at least twopanels are in the open position.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein atleast one of the two or more panels is selectively coupled to theconduit body via one or more hinge members.
 13. The device of claim 11,wherein at least one of the two or more panels is biased to the closedposition.
 14. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one of the two ormore panels is selectively coupled to the conduit body via one or morepanel connectors.
 15. The device of claim 11, further comprising a panelgasket interposed between at least one of the two or more panels and theconduit body.
 16. The device of claim 11, wherein one of the first portand the second port are covered by one or more plugs when not in use.17. A method of connecting two or more conduits comprising: coupling afirst conduit to a first port on a first end of a universal conduitbody; coupling a second conduit to a second port on a second end of atleast one of two or more interchangeable panels; splicing together oneor more wires from the first conduit with one or more wires of thesecond conduit inside a cavity defined by the universal conduit bodysuch that the one or more spliced wires are contained within the cavity;and selectively coupling the two or more interchangeable panels to atleast two open sides of the cavity so as to form at least a partial sealbetween the two or more interchangeable panels and the conduit body, theat least two open sides comprising an opening that extends substantiallyfrom the first end to the second end.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein coupling a second conduit to a second port of at least one ofthe two or more interchangeable panels comprises coupling each of two ormore second conduits to a second port of at least two of the two or moreinterchangeable panels.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein selectivelycoupling the two or more interchangeable panels to at least two opensides of the cavity comprises coupling at least one of the two or morepanels to the conduit body via one or more hinge members.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein selectively coupling the two or moreinterchangeable panels to at least two open sides of the cavitycomprises coupling at least one of the two or more interchangeablepanels to the conduit body via one or more panel connectors.